Two #2
“When you put it like that, you make me sound far more important than I am,” I teased. Diverting my gaze to Reid, I clarified, “I like to be busy, and I enjoy my work. The more I can do, the better, so I make myself available and dive in to assist wherever I can.”
Barrett chuckled, and since I hadn’t seen or heard that from him in more than a week, I returned my attention to him and smiled. “This place would not run nearly as smoothly as it does if not for you.”
Reid cleared his throat. When my eyes shot toward him again, I couldn’t miss the irritation in his expression. The look made me reconsider whether he’d actually sneered at me when I first walked in.
I didn’t want to hold it against him. Surely, he’d been through just as much as Barrett with what happened to Sylvia. Plus, even though I didn’t know much about his personal life, I knew he didn’t live here in Cardinal. I couldn’t imagine that any of this was easy.
“Is everything alright, Reid?” Barrett asked.
Reid held his father’s stare, something I couldn’t read passing between them.
It was heavy, tense. Reid forced a smirk onto his face, but it was not the kind of look that indicated he was having a good time.
It made me think there was some conversation that I hadn’t been privy to.
“Just ready to get things started. There’s plenty to learn, I presume. ”
His expression indicated he wasn’t interested in whatever there was to learn, but I couldn’t deny how the deep smoothness of his voice held me captive.
Whether it was annoyance or sadness or frustration that kept him from being particularly talkative, I didn’t know.
But with a voice like that, it was a shame that anything stopped him.
Barrett hesitated for a beat before turning his attention to me. Sorrow marred his features, but he pushed past whatever grief was lingering and said, “My apologies, Natalia. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. Reid and I should get back to work now.”
“Of course. If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me again.” I shifted my gaze to Reid. When his eyes met mine, I offered a friendly and encouraging smile. “It was wonderful to meet you. I guess I’ll see you around.”
With that, I turned and moved to the door. I was going to walk right through and leave the father and son duo to it, but I stopped myself before making my exit.
Shifting my focus between the two men, I settled my stare on Barrett. “Please give my love to Sylvia.”
With a nod and smile of appreciation, he promised, “I will.”
I dared to give Reid one final look before I stepped out of the room and closed the door behind me.
Reid
“Would it have killed you to be the least bit cordial?”
I rolled my eyes and moved to sit down for the first time since I’d entered my father’s office. “I thought the whole point of being here this morning was for me to learn what I’ve got to do here for the next six months.”
“It is. But no matter how much I attempt to show you today, I’m bound to forget something. Or you might not recall everything I share with you. So, it would have been wise for you to be reasonable and pleasant to the woman who’d be able to help you out should the need arise.”
“I didn’t think I did anything particularly unpleasant,” I noted. “But I’m not here to make friends and sing everyone’s praises. I’m here to do a job.”
I was getting used to seeing the look of disappointment on my father’s face. It had only been a few days since I’d returned home, and he’d graced me with it more times than I could count.
“Yes, you are. But the job you’re here to do involves putting in some effort to make this place run well. You signed the contract. I intend to hold up my end of the deal, but you need to hold up yours.”
A rush of air left my lungs, and I glowered at him. I was already questioning why I’d even signed the contract. If it weren’t for the promise of finally getting this land by the end of next spring, I would have easily walked away.
And barely a few hours into the first day, I hated myself for making this decision. I’d only met one person since arriving here, and I didn’t think I could handle anyone else like her.
“I’ll do what I have to do.”
He shot me a knowing look. “You seem distressed about it already. This hatred you have for me cannot carry through to the people who work and visit here.”
And there it was. His attempt to steer the conversation to the feelings I had for him. He wanted that conversation, and I couldn’t think of anything I wanted less. Other than running this place, perhaps.
Ignoring his attempt, I arched a brow. “Either you were prepared to have me run this business for six months or you weren’t. But you knew how I felt about this place from the start. If you didn’t think I could do the job, you shouldn’t have offered it.”
“I don’t have a choice at this point.” My dad sighed.
“Look, I think that knowing you’re bound to the terms of the contract is enough.
If you really want this place, you’re going to have to put in the effort over the next six months to run it well.
I can only hope that when you’re here on your own, you can lose the stony, annoyed expression and be decent to the people here. ”
“I am who I am.”
He shook his head slowly and rubbed the back of his neck.
“It’s only been two hours since we sat down with the attorney.
I don’t think I need to remind you that, as part of the agreement, you’re not to let anyone know what your intentions are for this place moving forward.
These are good people, and I don’t need them worried about the reason you’re being so accommodating.
When the time comes, when it’s finally yours, you can show them who you really are.
Until then, not a word, or the deal is off. ”
Sometimes I wondered where he thought I got this callous mindset.
Being a ruthless businessman didn’t come naturally.
I’d certainly learned it somewhere. “I know exactly what to do to prove I’m only concerned about business.
And everything I’ve learned has gotten me to where I am today.
You have no need to worry. I don’t intend to screw this up for myself. ”
My dad mumbled something under his breath before he said, “Then we should get started, because you’ve got a lot to learn before the day is over.”
I wanted to tell him I didn’t think there was anyone better to teach me than him, but I knew it’d just lead to another discussion I wasn’t interested in having. The sooner he went over what I needed to know, the sooner we could be done. And I’d be one day closer to my goal.